Brooklyn Academy of Music Harvey Theater 651 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY FROM THE CO-FOUNDERS Dear Friends, Two months, countless hours, goofiness, insane drama, ten thousand emails from strangers (most of which were kind), volunteers who helped beyond the call, others who offered and then bagged , GALLONS of chai latte, huge dreams, joyfully freezing with 500,000 others, a miracle a day, maxed­ out credit cards, 11th hour angels, getting flayed on right wing radio and adored on NPR, articles in papers big and small, and the infamous phone interview with Newsweek from our "office"-the Times Square Popeye's Fried Chicken. And here we are, over 820 readings in 52 countries, and in all 50 American States (North Dakota making a fashionably late entrance) . We come to this, our day of action, happy that Lysistrata Project can contribute to the global ruckus being raised against the war and satisfied we've done our best to let the world know that President Bush does not speak for all Americans. Most of all, though, we're honored to be joined by you, this fine cast and crew, and so many new friends around the world - from the jungles of Hawaii to the jungles of Cambodia, from living rooms in Syria and Iowa, and secret readings in China and Jerusa­ lem to all-out theatrical takeovers of Chicago, Paris, Baltimore, Minneapolis, London and Los Ange­ les. But most of all, we're thrilled that hundreds of people have become activists for the first time with this project, and will never be silent again. People, our work is not done. We haven't stopped them yet. But for tonight, let's enjoy the re­ sourcefulness, tenacity, humor, bravery and diplomatic finesse that makes Lysistrata a timeless heroine. Thank you for joining us for this unprecedented, worldwide, theatrical groundswell for peace. With love, Kathryn &. Sharron Our first foray into the Halls of National Journalism Timeline of the First Week (abridged from Kathryn's journal) Saturday, 1/4 Get idea to do Lysitrata reading in the morning on my way to work. Get email from Sharron in the afternoon re: acting in VT, I respond to her re: reading SH: Idea to do it as a benefit for Iraqi relief orgs. SH: Sends six emails Saturday night, including links to Madre and Epic. Sunday, 1/5 SH &I start thinking bigger. Nationwide, nay, international day. We call and email other theater artists about the project. We both have friends in Seattle who say yes. My friend had been sitting in church that morning wondering what theater artists can do. I email Susan Stamberg Monday, 1/6 I come up with logo, Mark Greene makes it. Epic agrees to participate. We spend the evening putting up temporary website. We show Mark Nash for feedback, he prompt~ sends it to 25 people. Midnight: the Austin reading is cast. Tuesday, 1/7 We find out about Lysistrata Project.org. Oops. Beg their forgiveness. We keep working on the website. Wednesday, 1/8 Real website is up. Spend the day writing massive letter to everyone we know. Thursday, 1/9 Letter goes out to everyone we know. Friday, 1I 10 6:47am, we have NY, Burlington, Seattle, Austin, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Milwau­ kee, Minneapolis, Vienna, Munich, and Damascus. 2:45 pm, NPR calls. 3:00, call from Riverside Theater in Iowa. They heard from Delaware and England. About Our Designated Charities MADRE is an international women's human rights organization that works in conflict areas worldwide to address issues of health, education, economic de­ velopment and other human rights. Lysistrata Project donations support their "Every Child Has A Name" project which sends milk and medicine to children in Iraq. More information at www.. madre.org. EPIC is the Education For Peace in Iraq Center, dedicated to improving humani­ tarian conditions in Iraq and defend­ ing the human rights of the Iraqi people who have been crippled by the United Nations sanctions. More information at www.epic-usa.org. Lysistrata Project Team Co-Founders: Kathryn Blume & Sharron Bower Communications Director (Toby &0 combined): Jen Nessel Campaign Manger/PRJ Web Master: Mark Greene Tech Support Beyond Belief: John Howrey Education Team: Marcie Sturiale, Michaela Hall, Jennifer Bronder PR Support: Kait Creed Consultants: Joanne Woodward, James Naughton, Julian Schlossberg, Nina Streick Talent Contact: Lauren Schneider & Katy Huisentruit of Class Productions Legal Consultants: Ted Striggles and Neal Johnston Legal Research: Jessica Taub Office Products Savior and Guy At Our Backs: Bentley Meeker On Line Auction: Barbara and Gary Bonhiver, Bonhiver &Co. The Playwrights Who Let Us Post/Use Their Scripts: Sharif Abdunnur, Caro~n Balducci, Joanna Bloem, Lissa Brennan George Brosi, Larry Gelbart, Drue Robinson Hagan, Jeff Henderson, Ceceilia Luschnig, Kathryn Paulsen Special Thanks: Mark Nash, Joanne Woodward, Michaela Hall, Vivian M, Holly at arteto, Debbie Small, Jill Abramovitz, Blume Family, Bower Fami~, Alicia D. House, Jason Jacobs, Sophia, Angela Peterson, Lisa Kelman, Marwa Bernstein, Mallory Catlett, Chashama, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Naomi Dagen Bloom, Daniel Fish, Kathy's Donors, Sahra Aschenbach, Chris Brandt, THAW, The Chil~ 500,000, The Field, Luna Stage, Randall Stuart, (Most~) Harmless Theater, Laura Worthen, Heather Hawkins, 2nd Stage, New Victory Theater, New 42nd Street, Inc., Keira Naughton, Phyllis Curott, Soft Skull Press, Good Vibrations, Larry Gelbart, Neal Johnston, Ted Striggles, Eden Lipson, Sue Leonard, Lizzy Ratner, Cirque Boom, Barbara Barrie, Hume Cronyn, Susan Cooper, Gary Jurman and Touchstone Screen Printing The Education Team Lysistrata Goes to School was a whole side project unto itse~ - developing a study-guide and school-friend~ scripts so that teachers and students could be involved. The material focuses less on sex and more on creative, non-violent means of conflict resolution. They were amazing, and deserve a whole evening devoted just to them. To invite Lysistrata to your school, contact Marcie Sturiale at [email protected] Marcie Sturiale - Director of Education Michaela Hall - Worked with Adam Webster on traditional high school script. Jennifer Bronder -Wrote modern high school adaptation. Thank yous to: Cal~ Phillips (Dumfries, Scotland) - for the incredible contributions to study guide and the begin­ nings of a long distance friendship! Joy Lenters (The Mead School, Stamford, G) -for her quest to bring Sofia's scripts to us and her enduring enthusiasm and energy! Sofia Zarambouka (Greece)­ for the generous gift of her children's scripts and her beautiful~ trusting attitude Mary Perantakou­ Cook (Greece)- for coming forward to translate Sofia's scripts and basical~ being a super woman in our eyes! Adam Webster (Chicago, IL) -for his wonderful script and fantastic collaboration with Michaela Hall! Lysistrata by Aristophanes Translation by Ivanna Makepeace Thanks to BAM for providing the amazing space and support. Extra Special Thanks to the Ratner Family fur making this possible. Producer: Jen Nessel Event Director: Jim Gaylord Reading Director: Ellen Mclaughlin Production Manager: Kim Guzowski Stage Manager: Erika Schwartz Catering Donated by Danny Meyer, Eleven Madison Park Witty Banter Writers: Colin Lingle, Lynn Harris Angel: Joanne Woodward Champion: Lizzy Ratner BAM Contacts: Alicia D. House, Mario LaMothe, Philip Naude Apologies to all the amazing and generous folks helping us out whose names didn't get into the program by press time. You know who you are and you know you are wonderful. The Company F. Murray Abraham Kevin Bacon Kathleen Cha~ont Johnny Lee Davenport Kathryn Grody Delphi Harrington Bill Irwin Vernice Miller Lisa Rothe Mercedes Ruehl Kyra Sedgwick Lori Singer David Strathairn Marlo Thomas Thanks to John Lamb and (Mostly) Harmless Theater in St. Louis, MO for this inspiring shot. Aerialist: Montana Miller Musicians: Eliza Ladd and Friends Acrobats: Members of Cirque Boom F. MURRAY ABRAHAM's two brothers are buried in a military cemetary in Texas. No more war. KEVIN BACON: Film: Hollow Man, Stir of Echoes, My Dog Skip, Wild Things, Digging to China, Picture Perfect, Telling Lies in America, Apollo 13, Murder in the First, The River Wild, Diner, Footloose; She's Having a Baby, Criminal Law, The Big Picture, Tremors, Balta, JFK, A Few Good Men, National Lampoon's Animal House; TV: Lemon Sky, The Gift, Enormous Changes at the Last Minute; Broad­ way: Slab Boys, Loot; Off-Broadway: Album, Poor Little Lambs, Getting Out; New York: Spike Heels. With his older brother Michael, Kevin is the other half of the band "The Bacon Brothers." He lives in New York with his wife and two children. KATHLEEN CHALFONT: Broadway: the ENCORE! presentation of Bloomer Girl, Angels in America, Racing Demon, Dance With Me, M. Butterfly. Off-Broadway: The Vagina Monologues, Wit, Nine Armenians, Twelve Dreams, Henry V, True History and Real Adventures. Other New York credits: Phaedra in Delirium (CSC), lphigenia and Other Daughters, Endgame, The Party, Three Poets, Sister Mary Ignatius . , Just Say No, The Investigation of the Murder in El Salvador (NYTW), Jules Feiffer's Hold Mel, Signs of Life. Regional Theater: Long Wharf Theatre, Hartford Stage Company, Mark Taper Forum, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Sundance Playwrights Lab, Mlwaukee Repertory Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse and others. Film: Murder and Murder, Bob Roberts, Five Corners, Jumpin'At The Boneyard, Dream Work, A Price Above Rubies, The Last Days of Disco, Side Streets, Random Hearts, Company Man. TV: Jo, The Guardian, The Laramie Project, Benjamin Franklin, A Death in the Family, Law&Order, Law&Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Crimina/Intent, The Beat, Storm of the Century, Prince Street, Spin City, LA Law, One Life to Live. Radio: The Lion in Winter for LA TheatreWorks. Ms. Chalfont was a participant in V-Day 2001 at Madison Square Garden and V-Day 2002 in San Francisco and Sacramento. California. Awards: 1996 OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance.